as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded young, innovative artists thrive in the freewheeling milieu that a big city offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word milieu distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of milieu are background, environment, mise-en-scène, and setting. While all these words mean "the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs," milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

Where would background be a reasonable alternative to milieu?

Although the words background and milieu have much in common, background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

When is it sensible to use environment instead of milieu?

The meanings of environment and milieu largely overlap; however, environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

In what contexts can mise-en-scène take the place of milieu?

While the synonyms mise-en-scène and milieu are close in meaning, mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

When can setting be used instead of milieu?

The words setting and milieu can be used in similar contexts, but setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of milieu Enjoy their eclectic fiction, including short stories, thrillers, and a novel set in the milieu of fonts and typefaces. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025 All these anachronisms are at least a matter of inside baseball, if a hindrance to Baylin and Susman’s attempts to evoke the same textured, realist milieu as the Safdie brothers. Alison Herman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025 And in today’s fast-moving, always-on business milieu, the difference between engagement and exhaustion may come down to how confident your people feel in their ability to act. Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025 Although the relocation of a very Nordic communitarian milieu to a British setting creates its own cultural dissonances, the end result is a nifty ethical puzzle about balancing the needs of individuals versus those of the community. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for milieu
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milieu
Noun
  • Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a soft robotic skin that allows vine-like robots just a few millimeters wide to navigate tight and fragile environments.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • But the fact that the Hoosiers could go into a raucous environment like Autzen Stadium and beat the Ducks by double digits without their quarterback being a superhero says a lot about their overall talent level.
    Dane Brugler, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Additionally, Manitoba’s clean hydroelectric grid provides abundant renewable energy, which is essential for powering technology to pull CO₂ from the atmosphere without creating additional emissions in the process, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The menu exudes exquisite flavors, and whether you’re seated in the living room, the galley or on the terrace, the atmosphere is that of a dear friend’s home.
    Kristen Tribe, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • McGregor recognizes that the work of translating between Western science and TEK is critical in certain contexts and applications, while there has also been significant cooption and misinterpretation.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Signs of bacteria from the Clostridiaceae family had previously been found in other mummies from ancient Andean civilizations, linking the individual to a larger cultural context.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Given that the host cities for next year’s World Cup stretch from Vancouver to Mexico City, adapting to different climates will be essential.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Each release, however, was aged in a different warehouse in an attempt to showcase a sense of terroir that comes from the particular climate and environment in which the barrels are stored.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While some neighborhoods have gotten attention, the progress has been uneven and isn't reaching the same critical mass of development and redevelopment success that has benefited the downtown area and its surrounds.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The Chinese also presented the movie with 12 channels of sound, meaning the surround speakers got an extra workout that added to the visceral charge of the chase sequences and shoot-outs.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Milieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milieu. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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